Massive clean-up campaign commences
By Indrawattie Natram
PRESIDENT of the Region Two Tourism Association, Maria Lord-Lewis is urging Essequibo residents to join in the association’s “Keep It Clean” campaign, in an effort to make the region more attractive to tourists. The association launched its massive cleanup exercise on November 17-18 in Charity and November 25-26 in Good/Hope, Supenaam.
Lewis said that the exercises were a huge success and show what many hands can do once there is co-operation. The first clean-up campaign which was held at Charity, aimed at cleaning up the main port of entry in that area. Pounds of garbage dumped in the waterways and on the land were removed by volunteers.
“The stakeholder approach was amazing. Everyone came out and did their part, but we can’t stop here. We have to continue to keep our region clean. We have many tourist attraction sites and we can only sell those areas once we keep our region clean,” Lewis said.
She said the association has partnered with the Charity/Ursara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Good Hope/Supenaam NDC, Puran Brothers disposal services, Mr. Vishnu (Lil Indian), Royal Rangers Youth Group, Mr. Iftikar Mohamed, Flyde, Mr. Bovwel and Mr. Albert in making the cleanup campaigns a success.
The president said that while the association is doing its part, residents and the business community need to come on board. She also called on vendors at the various market areas to keep their surroundings clean and to avoid dumping waste in nearby drains and waterways.
In the association’s quest to promote tourism members are currently looking at beautifying the region.
“We want to keep the region clean, the Charity and the Supenaam areas are two port of entries where we have a high influx of visitors, we need to keep these areas clean and I am therefore urging persons, especially businesses and youth groups to come on board and assist,” Lewis said.
Pledging the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) support was Region Two Chairman Mr. Devanand Ramdatt. Ramdatt said that Region Two has many tourist attraction sites and he is happy that the association is working to highlight them. He also announced that a businessman is also facilitating flights in the region via the Hampton court airstrip on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, weekly. This, he said is a positive start, one that will promote the region’s tourism sector.
In addition to the clean-up campaigns, members will be reaching out to workers in the transportation sector raising awareness on courtesy. Engagements will also be done with hotel and restaurant owners.
Another member, Hilon Khan, said that the association is also looking at tourism packages which will afford Guyanese a Tri-Lake experience- an opportunity to visit Mainstay, Capoey and Tapakuma. These indigenous settlements are known for their pristine black water, fishing, bird watching, agriculture and eco-tourism. Apart from the tri-lake experience, the region has other indigenous settlements such as Mashabo, Bethany, St Monica, Wakapoa, Akawini among others. There are also many historic sites like the Damon Monument, Devonshire Castle Martyrs, Anna Regina High Bridge and other attractions.